Providing Chimney Cleaning Services to Senior Citizens

It’s hard to believe that as the world’s population keeps growing, yet the good old USA is still the third largest country in terms of population with 316,500,000 citizens. We’re still a big country but because of low birth rates and longer life expectancy, the average age of an American is increasing.

It’s only normal that as we get on age, home repairs and home maintenance become less of a priority. With many senior citizens living on fixed incomes, expenses can pile up. In some states, the local governments are making home improvement grants available for seniors. These grants can help pay for at least some of the repairs, and lower the overall cost of the repair. Even the federal government is pitching in. Take the USDA Rural Housing Repair and Rehabilitation program which awards grants for up to $7,500. It’s available only to seniors in certain areas whose income is less than half that of the local area.

The great advantage of a grant is that once the grant is provided and used for its original intent, it never has to be repaid. Seniors, who eventually sell their homes, benefit from the value that the grant adds to the property. This holds up regardless of the type of home improvement project. While some home improvement projects might add to a home’s curb appeal, like a new front entrance, projects that can improve a home’s energy efficiency definitely add longer term value to a property. Cosmetic improvements and repairs like new bathrooms, kitchens, flooring and redecorating won’t fool an educated buyer. According to the website, www.homebuilding.co.uk, fixing structural defects such as a leaking roof, structural cracks to walls, and unstable chimney stacks should be at the top of the home improvement list.

Masonry or brick chimney are durable structures but they need regular upkeep and repairs. Chimneys vent smoke from fireplaces and are subject to the regular wear and tear as well as creosote buildup. Over time, chimneys can suffer minor structural damages due to harsh, weather conditions also. The area that is most need of repairing is the crown area at the top of the chimney. The chimney’s crown plays an important role in maintaining the chimney’s overall durability. When a crown’s structural integrity isn’t compromised it protects the inner mortar lining and ensures that the stucco doesn’t deteriorate as smoke passes through the chimney.

Once you’ve taken the decision to hire a professional chimney cleaner, it only makes good sense to hire a CSIA, Chimney Safety Institute of America, certified chimney sweep. The CSIA is the only nationally recognized credential for the industry. CSIA Certified Chimney Sweeps are tested to the three levels of inspection for chimneys that have been adopted by the National Fire Protection Association into code NFPA 211 (Standard for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and Solid Fuel Burning Appliances). NFPA 211 is the standard upon which certified chimney sweeps base their services and Always ask for the level of inspection that you believe will be most appropriate for your chimney and venting system. Each level of inspection covers specific items and depends on the individual appliance and venting system.

American Fireplace Inc. has been providing chimney cleaning and residential air duct cleaning services for more than 20 years to customers in Houston, Texas (TX) and the surrounding areas including Beaumont, Brenham, College Station, Galveston, Katy, Kingwood, Lake Jackson, Woodlands, Richmond, Spring and Sugarland. American Fireplace Inc., We Care about Your Air!